Dog Park Locations

The Santa Ana River Route is a multi-use trail near Huntington Beach that is a terrific area to walk Petzooie! A parking lot with easy access to the Santa Ana River Trail is shown on the map below. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided Bring Petzooie with map data for this trail for educational purposes exclusively.

Pat Merritt Dog Park in Riverside, California, is a gorgeous, clean, and friendly dog park. The park is completely walled, and there is a separate little dog area, as well as benches, trees, and a water fountain.

Dogs are allowed in certain areas of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Paved roads, developed campgrounds, and day use areas are all open to leashed dogs. They are not permitted on any of the paths in the State Parks. The Big Sur River runs through several of the campgrounds. There is a $10 per car day use fee. From half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after dusk, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is open.

The dog-friendly Skunk Train, which departs from downtown Fort Bragg (or Willits), transports tourists while also serving the few residents and visitors of the redwood forests it passes through. Railroad enthusiasts, history aficionados, nature lovers, and everyone else who would like a ride through a lovely forest would enjoy the Skunk Train. Dogs are allowed on the train in both open and enclosed compartments. The Wolf Tree Turn route is only open from around March to December, although the Pudding Creek Express is open all year. Tickets for Petzooie must also be purchased. Tickets for dogs are $10.95.

This no-frills, fenced, 9-acre Petaluma dog park has plenty of room for your pooch to run about off-leash.

Cahuilla Hills Park Off Leash Area in Palm Desert, California, is a pet-friendly recreation area with plenty of space to play. Bring your dog to the authorized off-leash area of this public park, but be cautious because the area is not gated. Any messes made by dogs should be cleaned up by their owners.

Grape Street Dog Park, San Diego's largest dog park, is located in Balboa Park and contains five acres of open fields surrounded by mature eucalyptus trees. Two dog water faucets and a human restroom are also available.

The Jim Green trail starts at the end of Cortez Avenue and winds its way around the north side of Chalk Mountain Golf Course, which is part of a 230-acre regional park in the county. The trail is named after the late Jim Green of Atascadero, an outdoor enthusiast who was responsible for the creation of many hiking and equestrian trails in San Luis Obispo county. The trail begins inauspiciously, flanked on one side by residential homes and railroad tracks on the other, but within a few hundred feet you begin to get a true "wilderness feeling."At this point, you'll see a large trail marker with information on the area, and you'll have to decide which direction to go because the route is a two-mile loop. The trail, which is open to hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, and dogs, is ideal for people looking for a brief walk (approximately 40 minutes) that is neither too demanding nor too easy. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Dogs are permitted both on and off-leash; however, because of the presence of snakes in the area, leashing is probably advisable.

On the east side of Lake Poway, you'll find the Mt. Woodson trailhead. The hike to the Mt. Woodson Summit begins at the Lake Poway Staging area and climbs 2,000 feet in elevation. This 8-mile round-trip climb takes an average of 3 to 4 hours and is only advised for experienced hikers looking for a challenging workout. Please keep in mind that hiking some popular paths in the heat can be risky.

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a countrywide network of trails from abandoned rail lines and connecting corridors. This "rail-trail," which was once an underused railroad line, is now a terrific spot to walk Fido in Pacific Grove! A parking lot with easy access to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is shown on the map below.